Football leagues are all cartels, but the MLS in the US is a particularly malign version in that it is a closed system, without relegation and promotion. This lack of market competition is normal sports behaviour in the Land of the Free, but leads to a huge number of stale games from early in the season, as clubs outwith the title battle have little to play for.
Don’t be distracted by Messi’s December years in Miami. The former World’s Greatest is filling his coffers in a low tax environment (he’s famously tax averse), paid for by Amazon Prime customers across North America.
Where else would Celtic profitably sell-on Patryk Klimala, Lewis Morgan and Giorgos Giakoumakis? Patryk only managed an unproductive year before heading back to Europe. Lewis Morgan has enjoyed a successful four years, first in Miami, now New York. The one-time Celtic winger has found his level in the US.
Giorgos left us only 11 months ago. In 30 MLS appearances since (including from the bench), he scored 19 times. He is our stand-out successful export to North America and at 29, has surely also found his level.
Liel Abada is 22 years old, still learning his trade but already a respected player who has given us a clutch of memorable moments and goals. I think he can continue developing into a striker, his timing and calmness in front of goal is reminiscent of some of our greats, even if his wing play is not.
If Liel goes to the MLS it will be with some regret. He has potential well above that league. We gave him a platform to learn on and grow, but the developmental job is not complete. There will be more money on the table, but, unlike Messi, it’s February for Liel, not December.
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Tontine Tim,
Not sure, I hope so. He originally went to Our Lady’s, like my auld man. Lost touch, unfortunately when my own 3 ghirls, and 1 wee bhoy came along. He and his wonderful wife Diane, were the salt of the earth. We once had to buy a Telly from Best Buy as we got to the bar and the Englanders had commandeered the bigscreens. Went and bought a small tv and the bar man hooked it up for us to watch Celtic beat Livingstone at home for the title:))) Can’t remember if we took the TV home or Dan sold it for a profit to the English barman:)))) What a feckin character!!!
BOONDOCK SAINT on 20TH FEBRUARY 2024 2:32 PM
I love that! Buy a telly, take it to the pub and get the pub people to plug it in for you so that you can watch Celtic! Great !!!
THE STAR ABOVE THE CREST on 20TH FEBRUARY 2024 12:53 PM
An tearmann
From previous blog
What’s Eastwood and me playing football got to do with anything?
===================/
You said : he was not a Celtic fan”
Him playing football as a youngster growing up in the district of Glasgow called Eastwood(not the renfrew one) as a youngster imitating Celtic games,just like u am sure you did growing up
He is a Celtic man just like you or me.
But feel free to critique his work as i said previously but dont be questionin whether he is/isnot a Celtic man just because of policy decisions
HH
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY @ 1:25 PM,
:)))))
Well it was good to see a BMCUWPS post this morning, think he does that much better…
Of course, I like to be as positive as possible, especially about Celtic.
Yet it seems that agendas, power plays and egos are the order of the day… a sad state of affairs for an elite Club.
No 21st Century Celt, so far, has got close to a Statue outside Celtic Park, those that are already there have put Celtic and the Community first with phenomenal results.
Hint! Hint!
Hail Hail
Paul67
More concerned about who is playing on Saturday at 12.00
Mon the Hoops
Sunday even 🤫
PB
My bad
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY on @9:41am.
…….…
On Sunday the same guy BMCW who wrote the article which you earlier posted said that.…
“There will be no club left if fans boycott season tickets etc etc.”
Hmmmm….?
Then when Mike In Toronto asked if Paul 67 had retired and taken over Sentinel Celts BMCW disappeared from his own blog for quite some time…which was very telling.
The wolves in sheep clothing are running both CQN and Sentinel Celts and both have their placemen hopping from blog to blog.
Sentinel Syntax word blocking system in place to block words which would blow their CQN style cover up of the same club lie wide open…so they too have a blog full of compliant PLC suckers…hoping from blog to blog.
Maybe better to ask why each blog and a lot of their posters who really like to be heard have never once posted or written an article about why in 2016 when New Club Sevco got promoted and Celtic PLC agreed to put Old Club Rangers ticket price of £49 from 2012 onto New Club Sevco tickets in 2016 when Sevco got promoted?
2012 Rangers vs Celtic ticket price = £49.
2016 Sevco vs Celtic ticket price = £49.
Does that look like the same club lie in play to you?
I thought Sevco were a new club?
It seems that these Tims are much more dimmer than I thought they were?
Or maybe these Tims on both of these blogs are more at home when sucking the same club lie along with Celtic PLC?
Auldheid only mentions the £49 ticket agreement corruption when he gets his nose put out of joint for not doing so…why would that be?
Is Auldheid part of the £49 ticket deceit same club lie cover up?
If not then why the silence?
Ditto – Phil Mac, CQN, Sentinel Celts, and all of their posters?
Are they all part of a cover up…if not then why the silence?
PS Auldheid Resolution12 told us nothing about the 2016 same club lie tickets cover up how could it when all of the devotees of Resolution 12 haven’t mentioned one peep about £49 tickets since 2016 thats SEVEN YEARS of compliance with the big lie lol
Maybe the Resolution 12 devotees have heads like balloons given their silence on £49 ticket sell out affair from 2016 these meticulous bores and all of their going nowhere evidence and when they get stuck…they quote passages from the bible…but they will never tell you who wrote this bible?
Or maybe there is something else going on to maintain that silence.
Anyway Resolution for Celtic FC and all of their 60,000 PLC suckers…
£200 million peado bill then put the lights out and gies peace!
Oot.
So Paul, Abada won’t be turning out for us this season then?
Bir harsh on Lionel surely?
I’ll hazard a guess the guy has never filled out a tax return in his life.
Any confidence I had in my beloved club has evaporated into the ether, and sadly I doubt it will return.
The only decent people connected to the club, are the supporters, that’s it.
I believe the new club slogan is “Don’t give a mug an even break”. The mugs are us and us alone because of our love for Celtic, we really are the only ones who actually care. The board are, as usual, extracting the urine big time!!!!!
A very unhappy, KINGLuBO
Giorgios Giakoumakis, hmm.
Do I wish he was still at Celtic? Kinda.
Do I think he did not want to stay at Celtic and play second fiddle to Kyogo? Yip.
Do I think Ange was fairly indifferent to his staying or going? Yip.
Based on the above do I think it is right that his absence is chalked up to yet another recruitment/Lawwell/Board failing? Nope.
PLB – thank you for earlier reply.
While it appears you and I occasionally see things through different lenses … I routinely enjoy reading your posts.
An Tearman
Thanks for the clarification.
Now is it a blog rule from Paul that says I’m not allowed to question Peter Lawwells Celtic background or is it you telling I’m not allowed to?
Strange leader today – deflection perhaps? At least its not another blame Brendan attack.
Struggling with “its all the managers fault” narrative – sort of gives the real purveyors of this mess a bit of a pass which is exactly what they want.
I have said previously that i don’t think BR is blameless but good grief he has been sold a pup. There is no way he came back on the understanding that this was on the menu. He is to smart for that and with a successful career and a very healthy bank balance he hardly needed to.
As i say BR is not blameless but the players bought are by and large not big enough, strong enough or good enough now and can anyone say that will change significantly. Can we please stop with the its the bulk of the same team nonsense – 5 starters from Saturday were starters last season, less than half. Two starters from last season finished the game on Saturday, less than a fifth so can we please stop with the same team malarkey. Our key players look around them and their faces just drop……..
The other issue bothering me is why opposition managers and players don’t get out the way and let us play our fast entertaining football. They take up these tactics of smothering the game with a low block so there is no space to play and some of their guys run quickly and their big guys push our wee guys about a bit. We have no right to beat anyone we have to prepare and recruit to make sure we have the tools to do so 19/20.
If only we had recruited some bigger guys that would push them back or fast guys that could outpace them or technically better players to out think and outplay them?
We could have done that but that would have meant doing your job correctly and not just relying on some mates and friendly agents to fill in the gaps for you.
So instead of replacing at least like for like, or god forbid improvements, and a couple of new and better ones for lasting improvement we go for 10-12 maybes…………
But hold on we can’t afford anybody like that, they won’t come to Scotland – what a load of garbage – the is more won’t than can’t about our club.
Sorry lads but trying breakdown 11 solid pros all behind the ball and with a structure coached in is not going to happen with 4/5/6 passengers and the results of this season show that to be the case.
Quite disrespectful to the MLS. Watched any SPFL lately?
James Forrest
Good article with many good points, thank you, I disagree one one point, I think it might well require supporters at least to threaten not to renew their books and let Nicholson know by letter in advance, If the Association Affilation and the CSA coordinate this movement and inform the club that the supporters are serious that might be what it takes, if they still don’t shift position and say stuff you we have a waiting list, the support need to act on the intention not to buy season tickets.The nuclear option but this board don’t listen and never will.
I spent years doing business process improvement. The RACI is a great tool
Responsible = manager/players
Accountable = chairman
Consulted = board
Informed = us
R isn’t performing
A needs to C
I need to see a reaction
Simple
Ps everything James Forrest (not Ayrshire Superstar) is wrong, and I haven’t read it
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 20TH FEBRUARY 2024 3:55 PM
Giorgios Giakoumakis, hmm.
Do I wish he was still at Celtic? Kinda.
Do I think he did not want to stay at Celtic and play second fiddle to Kyogo? Yip.
Do I think Ange was fairly indifferent to his staying or going? Yip.
Based on the above do I think it is right that his absence is chalked up to yet another recruitment/Lawwell/Board failing? Nope.
…………………
Totally agree.
However, I would add: do I think Oh has been an adequate replacement? Absolutely not.
s.
THE STAR ABOVE THE CREST on 20TH FEBRUARY 2024 4:05 PM
An Tearmann
Thanks for the clarification.
Now is it a blog rule from Paul that says I’m not allowed to question Peter Lawwells Celtic background or is it you telling I’m not allowed to?
It is me telling you he is a Celtic fan,it is you stating as i originally answered That he is not a Celtic fan firstly or ‘next time pick a Celtic fan as chair,both times augmenting your assertion.
I just countered he is a Celtic fan also adding feel free to criticise,all i can add is my own experience of growing up,same school football teams.
He is a Tim,
.
If you are going to paint someone as not a Tim dont be pist when corrected.
Hope that clarifies the clarification already given
Your are a Tim,i think you will accept it.
HH
Made a right mess can anyone cancel my email address.
Should have said cancel my comment
Looks like we’re getting incoming from all directions.
SMSM know the O** F*** ying and yang keep them in business.
So, after years of Celtic dominance they are all in on “everything Sevco good, everything Celtic bad” type messaging.
Fine with me.
Knowing where you stand is often empowering and liberating.
As is seeing the true nature of those who would happily see you defeated.
And, personally speaking, ignoring this “by morons, for morons” stuff comes easily.
On the tangible front, loss of players.
Abada out of the picture.
Realistically, Reo (who seems to take a while to come up to speed) won’t be effective until April.
That leaves more responsibility on the shoulders of fewer people including our
– Injured defenders
– jaded midfielders
– lesser able wingers (compared to last season)
– Too few forwards.
If we are to prevail this season we’ll need onfield leadership big time and often from Joe, Cameron, Greg, Calum, Kyogo and (this may surprise some) Adam.
… with the rest of the squad following their leads unthinkingly and without question.
When it comes right down to it, the requirement is simple (not easy)
Win 11 and draw 1 of 12 league games.
Win 3 cup games in Glasgow.
If we do, we’ll win the double.
“And do you really think that is likely?” may be the reply.
Based on the negativity? Nope.
Based on going 7-2-0 in last nine while playing badly?
With a slight, gradual improvement – maybe, just maybe.
If we win the league this year?
I honestly think I’ll celebrate and appreciate the significance of it more than 1986, 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2022.
If we don’t?
Celtic supporting life will suck for a bit … We’ll get over it and go again next year.
A wee song about winning I hope to be singing at the end of the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZTNLC-iHxI
Thank you.
Abada fits the mould of the celtic recruitment strategy perfectly – small, skinny, easily knocked off the ball and needs space in front of him. I get the development strategy but we cant change Body shapes.
Its time for Celtic to sign Athletes first and foremost – its essential in todays game (# game played and physicality).
I’m sick and tired of the players we are brining in. Look at Kuhn – he looks timid, introverted and lacking on explosive physicality. Where are the winners, leaders , determined players! (Scandinavia is a good start). Look at Maeda, he has the entire pitch in front of him, no defender near him, strikers running in on goal and he miscues high into the stands. This after 2 years of coaching – and he shows no emotion. Yeh, its alright.
I’m not saying all wingers need to be athletes and have physicality – but if they dont have that , they need something special about them.
Last point on defense – Bernebei getting torn to shreds in the media. He is a bad defender but has speed that occasionally shows up going forward. The goal conceded against Killie is his fault – but also the fault of the right side of defense for nit stopping the cross. Also the fault of Mcgregor for not berating him when the earlier Armstrong sitter was missed in exactly the same spot and ALSO Rodgers for not changing the defensive set up when van veen came on. Rocky at center and scales at left back and we would have won 1-0.
Big week coming up – I’m curious to see what changes we make if any – I’m expecting stubborn Rodgers to do the same in terms of structure and just expect players to improve. NO we need something different – get creative with the squad!
An Tearman
I’d support pretty much any organisation if they paid me roughly £2m a year, gave me free tickets to various games, free 1st class travel across Europe and then let me employ family members in jobs they’re hopeless at.
HH
Moving from celtic – I’m sorry to see him go, if he goes, I wish home all the best
If he goes to MSL – crappola footie move
The Lawwell Loyal,must be at Celtic Park, for sweeties and rewards….
We Mickey Beale outed twattering of himself
https://twitter.com/secondtierpod/status/1759926259285364740?s=19
HH
No panic with Abada, we sell him in the summer, not cheap rate to MLS or anywhere else.
Litl Abada is worth €5m on a really good day….he will never be a top player.
3 years with us and he’s still not good enough to be a starter.
I guarantee he’ll have more unused sub appearances on his CV after he leaves us than goals/assists.
Celtic, and the support, have done nothing wrong here
He’s just not as good as we hoped.
BB
Exactly. In with the youths until Aug then sell. He has no ‘personal’ reason to down tools as far as i am aware.
Happy to be proved wrong
THE STAR ABOVE THE CREST on 20TH FEBRUARY 2024 6:09 PM
An Tearmann
I’d support pretty much any organisation if they paid me roughly £2m a year, gave me free tickets to various games, free 1st class travel across Europe and then let me employ family members in jobs they’re hopeless at.
HH
Would you be a fan of that organization your imagining from childhood?
Thats the difference,
He was a fan of Celtic long before what you assert Star,not because of his renumeration or benefits aa you imply
HH
Everyone asks for an alternative to the business plan….here’s mine.
Upgrade the top wages to £80k a week and we might have a 1st team like
Forster
Hickey
CCV
Ajer
KT
Jota
Cal
McTominay
O’Reilly
Édouard
Kyogo
Dembele
The biggest worry i had on sat was the Kyiogo looking as if he had had enough of the zero forward passes or crosses in the current form.
christ, i could have passed to him in space in every game this season. Our captain refuses point blank so i assume it is tactics from the boss.
Our back 4 is not desirable , that is bleedingly obvious defensively but has affected the whole transition,
They sit back and cause Mcgregor to be exposed, That is not going to work in a 433 or 4132. look how bad he looked under Lennon is the same slow build up.
I was shouting for some disruptive balls over the top in the second half which no-one really agreed with. Just wanted the ball out of our box and turn their defence.
I wasn’t happy with the boo boys though and had to put one in his box on the way out.
20000 supporters in the 80s at the game. Still the same, just added 30000 customers